Interference management in a wireless communication system using adaptive path loss adjustment

ABSTRACT

Interference that occurs during wireless communication may be managed by determination and application of an adaptive path loss adjustment. A method, apparatus and medium of communication determine a level of excess received interference based at least in part on out-of-cell interference (Ioc). The path loss is adjusted by an additional path loss on an uplink signal when the level of excess received interference exceeds an interference target that would cause a Rise-over-Thermal (RoT) metric to exceed stable communication.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119

This application claims the benefit of and priority to commonly ownedU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/990,541, filed Nov. 27, 2007,and assigned Attorney Docket No. 080324P1; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/990,547, filed Nov. 27, 2007, and assigned AttorneyDocket No. 080325P1; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/990,459,filed Nov. 27, 2007, and assigned Attorney Docket No. 080301P1; U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/990,513, filed Nov. 27, 2007, andassigned Attorney Docket No. 080330P1; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/990,564, filed Nov. 27, 2007, and assigned AttorneyDocket No. 080323P1; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/990,570, filed Nov. 27, 2007, and assigned Attorney Docket No.080331P1, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to concurrently filed and commonly owned:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “INTERFERENCEMANAGEMENT IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING BEAM AND NULLSTEERING,” and assigned Attorney Docket No. 080324;U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “INTERFERENCEMANAGEMENT IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING OVERHEAD CHANNELPOWER CONTROL,” and assigned Attorney Docket No. 080325;U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “INTERFERENCEMANAGEMENT IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING FREQUENCY SELECTIVETRANSMISSION,” and assigned Attorney Docket No. 080301;U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “INTERFACE MANAGEMENTIN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING SUBFRAME TIME REUSE,” andassigned Attorney Docket No. 080323; andU.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “INTERFACE MANAGEMENTIN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING HYBRID TIME REUSE,” and assignedAttorney Docket No. 080331; the disclosure of each of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This application relates generally to wireless communication and morespecifically, but not exclusively, to improving communicationperformance.

2. Introduction

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide varioustypes of communication (e.g., voice, data, multimedia services, etc.) tomultiple users. As the demand for high-rate and multimedia data servicesrapidly grows, there lies a challenge to implement efficient and robustcommunication systems with enhanced performance.

To supplement conventional mobile phone network base stations,small-coverage base stations may be deployed (e.g., installed in auser's home) to provide more robust indoor wireless coverage to mobileunits. Such small-coverage base stations are generally known as accesspoints, base stations, Home NodeBs, or femto cells. Typically, suchsmall-coverage base stations are connected to the Internet and themobile operator's network via a DSL router or a cable modem.

Since radio frequency (“RF”) coverage of small-coverage base stationsmay not be optimized by the mobile operator and deployment of such basestations may be ad-hoc, RF interference issues may arise. Moreover, softhandover may not be supported for small-coverage base stations. Lastly amobile station may not be allowed to communicate with the access pointwhich has the best RF signal due to restricted association (i.e., closedsubscriber group) requirement. Thus, there is a need for improvedinterference management for wireless networks.

SUMMARY

The disclosure relates to managing interference through determination ofan adaptive path loss adjustment. By adapting the path loss at an accesspoint, the noise rise may be managed to maintain stable systemperformance. In one exemplary embodiment, a method of communicationincludes determining a level of excess received interference based atleast in part on out-of-cell interference (Ioc). A sudden increase inout-of-cell interference results in an increase in the Rise-over-Thermal(RoT) noise causing communication instability. The method furtheradjusts path loss by an additional path loss on an uplink signal whenthe level of excess received interference exceeds an interference targetthat would cause a Rise-over-Thermal (RoT) metric to exceed therequirement for stable system operation.

In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for communication includesan interference controller configured to determine a level of excessreceived interference based at least in part on out-of-cell interference(Ioc). The apparatus further includes a communication controllerconfigured to adjust path loss by an additional path loss on an uplinksignal when the level of excess received interference exceeds aninterference target that would cause a Rise-over-Thermal (RoT) metric toexceed the requirement for stable system operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other sample aspects of the disclosure will be described inthe detailed description and the appended claims that follow, and in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects of acommunication system;

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating several sample aspectsof components in a sample communication system;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of several sample aspects of operations that maybe performed to manage interference;

FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram of a wireless communication system;

FIG. 5A is a simplified diagram of a wireless communication systemincluding femto nodes;

FIG. 5B is a simplified diagram of a specific arrangement of femto nodesand access terminals illustrating negative geometries;

FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram illustrating coverage areas for wirelesscommunication;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of several sample aspects of operations that maybe performed to manage interference through the use of beam and nullsteering;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of several sample aspects of operations that maybe performed to manage interference through the use of optimized reducedpower levels for an overhead channel;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of several sample aspects of operations that maybe performed to manage interference through the use of optimized reducedpower levels for an overhead channel;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of several aspects of operations that may beperformed to manage interference through the use of frequency selectivetransmission to address jamming and negative geometries;

FIGS. 11A-11B are flowcharts of several aspects of operations that maybe performed to manage interference through the use of adaptive noisefigure and path loss adjustment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of several aspects of operations that may beperformed to manage interference through the use of subframe time reusetechniques;

FIG. 13 is a slot diagram illustrating time sharing among femto nodesthat may be performed to manage interference through the use of hybridtime reuse techniques;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of several aspects of operations that may beperformed to manage interference through the use of hybrid time reuse;

FIG. 15 is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects ofcommunication components; and

FIGS. 16-21 are simplified block diagrams of several sample aspects ofapparatuses configured to manage interference as taught herein.

In accordance with common practice the various features illustrated inthe drawings may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly, the dimensions ofthe various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.In addition, some of the drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus,the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given apparatus(e.g., device) or method. Finally, like reference numerals may be usedto denote like features throughout the specification and figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the disclosure are described below. It should beapparent that the teachings herein may be embodied in a wide variety offorms and that any specific structure, function, or both being disclosedherein is merely representative. Based on the teachings herein oneskilled in the art should appreciate that an aspect disclosed herein maybe implemented independently of any other aspects and that two or moreof these aspects may be combined in various ways. For example, anapparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using anynumber of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, such an apparatusmay be implemented or such a method may be practiced using otherstructure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition toor other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein. Furthermore,an aspect may comprise at least one element of a claim.

In some aspects the teachings herein may be employed in a network thatincludes macro scale coverage (e.g., a large area cellular network suchas a 3G networks, typically referred to as a macro cell network) andsmaller scale coverage (e.g., a residence-based or building-basednetwork environment). As an access terminal (“AT”) moves through such anetwork, the access terminal may be served in certain locations byaccess nodes (“ANs”) that provide macro coverage while the accessterminal may be served at other locations by access nodes that providesmaller scale coverage. In some aspects, the smaller coverage nodes maybe used to provide incremental capacity growth, in-building coverage,and different services (e.g., for a more robust user experience). In thediscussion herein, a node that provides coverage over a relatively largearea may be referred to as a macro node. A node that provides coverageover a relatively small area (e.g., a residence) may be referred to as afemto node. A node that provides coverage over an area that is smallerthan a macro area and larger than a femto area may be referred to as apico node (e.g., providing coverage within a commercial building).

A cell associated with a macro node, a femto node, or a pico node may bereferred to as a macro cell, a femto cell, or a pico cell, respectively.In some implementations, each cell may be further associated with (e.g.,divided into) one or more sectors.

In various applications, other terminology may be used to reference amacro node, a femto node, or a pico node. For example, a macro node maybe configured or referred to as an access node, base station, accesspoint, eNodeB, macro cell, and so on. Also, a femto node may beconfigured or referred to as a Home NodeB, Home eNodeB, access point,base station, femto cell, and so on.

FIG. 1 illustrates sample aspects of a communication system 100 wheredistributed nodes (e.g., access points 102, 104, and 106) providewireless connectivity for other nodes (e.g., access terminals 108, 110,and 112) that may be installed in or that may roam throughout anassociated geographical area. In some aspects, the access points 102,104, and 106 may communicate with one or more network nodes (e.g., acentralized network controller such as network node 114) to facilitatewide area network connectivity.

An access point such as access point 104 may be restricted whereby onlycertain access terminals (e.g., access terminal 110) are allowed toaccess the access point, or the access point may be restricted in someother manner. In such a case, a restricted access point and/or itsassociated access terminals (e.g., access terminal 110) may interferewith other nodes in the system 100 such as, for example, an unrestrictedaccess point (e.g., macro access point 102), its associated accessterminals (e.g., access terminal 108), another restricted access point(e.g., access point 106), or its associated access terminals (e.g.,access terminal 112). For example, the closest access point to givenaccess terminal may not be the serving access points for that accessterminal. Consequently, transmissions by that access terminal mayinterfere with reception at the access terminal. As discussed herein,frequency reuse, frequency selective transmission, interferencecancellation and smart antenna (e.g., beamforming and null steering) andother techniques may be employed to mitigate interference.

Sample operations of a system such as the system 100 will be discussedin more detail in conjunction with the flowchart of FIG. 2. Forconvenience, the operations of FIG. 2 (or any other operations discussedor taught herein) may be described as being performed by specificcomponents (e.g., components of the system 100 and/or components of asystem 300 as shown in FIG. 3). It should be appreciated, however, thatthese operations may be performed by other types of components and maybe performed using a different number of components. It also should beappreciated that one or more of the operations described herein may notbe employed in a given implementation.

For illustration purposes various aspects of the disclosure will bedescribed in the context of a network node, an access point, and anaccess terminal that communicate with one another. It should beappreciated, however, that the teachings herein may be applicable toother types of apparatuses or apparatuses that are referred to usingother terminology.

FIG. 3 illustrates several sample components that may be incorporatedinto the network node 114 (e.g., a radio network controller), the accesspoint 104, and the access terminal 110 in accordance with the teachingsherein. It should be appreciated that the components illustrated for agiven one of these nodes also may be incorporated into other nodes inthe system 100.

The network node 114, the access point 104, and the access terminal 110include transceivers 302, 304, and 306, respectively, for communicatingwith each other and with other nodes. The transceiver 302 includes atransmitter 308 for sending signals and a receiver 310 for receivingsignals. The transceiver 304 includes a transmitter 312 for transmittingsignals and a receiver 314 for receiving signals. The transceiver 306includes a transmitter 316 for transmitting signals and a receiver 318for receiving signals.

In a typical implementation, the access point 104 communicates with theaccess terminal 110 via one or more wireless communication links and theaccess point 104 communicates with the network node 114 via a backhaul.It should be appreciated that wireless or non-wireless links may beemployed between these nodes or other in various implementations. Hence,the transceivers 302, 304, and 306 may include wireless and/ornon-wireless communication components.

The network node 114, the access point 104, and the access terminal 110also include various other components that may be used in conjunctionwith interference management as taught herein. For example, the networknode 114, the access point 104, and the access terminal 110 may includeinterference controllers 320, 322, and 324, respectively, for mitigatinginterference and for providing other related functionality as taughtherein. The interference controller 320, 322, and 324 may include one ormore components for performing specific types of interferencemanagement. The network node 114, the access point 104, and the accessterminal 110 may include communication controllers 326, 328, and 330,respectively, for managing communications with other nodes and forproviding other related functionality as taught herein. The network node114, the access point 104, and the access terminal 110 may includetiming controllers 332, 334, and 336, respectively, for managingcommunications with other nodes and for providing other relatedfunctionality as taught herein. The other components illustrated in FIG.3 will be discussed in the disclosure that follows.

For illustrations purposes, the interference controller 320 and 322 aredepicted as including several controller components. In practice,however, a given implementation may not employ all of these components.Here, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) controller component 338or 340 may provide functionality relating to HARQ interlace operationsas taught herein. A profile controller component 342 or 344 may providefunctionality relating to transmit power profile or receive attenuationoperations as taught herein. A timeslot controller component 346 or 348may provide functionality relating to timeslot portion operations astaught herein. An antenna controller component 350 or 352 may providefunctionality relating to smart antenna (e.g., beamforming and/or nullsteering) operations as taught herein. A receive noise controllercomponent 354 or 356 may provide functionality relating to adaptivenoise figure and path loss adjustment operations as taught herein. Atransmit power controller component 358 or 360 may provide functionalityrelating to transmit power operations as taught herein. A time reusecontroller component 362 or 364 may provide functionality relating totime reuse operations as taught herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates how the network node 114, the access point 104, andthe access terminal 110 may interact with one another to provideinterference management (e.g., interference mitigation). In someaspects, these operations may be employed on an uplink and/or on adownlink to mitigate interference. In general, one or more thetechniques described by FIG. 2 may be employed in the more specificimplementations that are described in conjunction with FIGS. 7-14 below.Hence, for purposes of clarity, the descriptions of the more specificimplementations may not describe these techniques again in detail.

As represented by block 202, the network node 114 (e.g., theinterference controller 320) may optionally define one or moreinterference management parameters for the access point 104 and/or theaccess terminal 110. Such parameters may take various forms. Forexample, in some implementations the network node 114 may define typesof interference management information. Examples of such parameters willbe described in more detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 7-14.

In some aspects, the definition of interference parameters may involvedetermining how to allocate one or more resources. For example, theoperations of block 402 may involve defining how an allocated resource(e.g., a frequency spectrum, etc.) may be divided up for fractionalreuse. In addition, the definition of fraction reuse parameters mayinvolve determining how much of the allocated resource (e.g., how manyHARQ interlaces, etc.) may be used by any one of a set of access points(e.g., restricted access points). The definition of fraction reuseparameters also may involve determining how much of the resource may beused by a set of access points (e.g., restricted access points).

In some aspects, the network node 114 may define a parameter based onreceived information that indicates whether there may be interference onan uplink or a downlink and, if so, the extent of such interference.Such information may be received from various nodes in the system (e.g.,access points and/or access terminals) and in various ways (e.g., over abackhaul, over-the-air, and so on).

For example, in some cases one or more access points (e.g., the accesspoint 104) may monitor an uplink and/or a downlink and send anindication of interference detected on the uplink and/or downlink to thenetwork node 114 (e.g., on a repeated basis or upon request). As anexample of the former case, the access point 104 may calculate thesignals strength of signals it receives from nearby access terminalsthat are not associated with (e.g., served by) the access point 104(e.g., access terminals 108 and 112) and report this to the network node114.

In some cases, each of the access points in the system may generate aload indication when they are experiencing relatively high loading. Suchan indication may take the form of, for example, a busy bit in 1xEV-DO,a relative grant channel (“RGCH”) in 3GPP, or some other suitable form.In a conventional scenario, an access point may send this information toits associated access terminal via a downlink. However, such informationalso may be sent to the network node 114 (e.g., via the backhaul).

In some cases, one or more access terminals (e.g., the access terminal110) may monitor downlink signals and provide information based on thismonitoring. The access terminal 110 may send such information to theaccess point 104 (e.g., which may forward the information to the networknode 114) or to the network node 114 (via the access point 104). Otheraccess terminals in the system may send information to the network node114 in a similar manner.

In some cases, the access terminal 110 may generate measurement reports(e.g., on repeated basis). In some aspects, such a measurement reportmay indicate which access points the access terminal 110 is receivingsignals from, a received signal strength indication associated with thesignals from each access point (e.g., Ec/Io), the path loss to each ofthe access points, or some other suitable type of information. In somecases a measurement report may include information relating to any loadindications the access terminal 110 received via a downlink.

The network node 114 may then use the information from one or moremeasurement reports to determine whether the access point 104 and/or theaccess terminal 110 are relatively close to another node (e.g., anotheraccess point or access terminal). In addition, the network node 114 mayuse this information to determine whether any of these nodes interferewith any other one of these nodes. For example, the network node 114 maydetermine received signal strength at a node based on the transmit powerof a node that transmitted the signals and the path loss between thesenodes.

In some cases, the access terminal 110 may generate information that isindicative of the signal to noise ratio (e.g., signal and interferenceto noise ratio, SINR) on a downlink. Such information may comprise, forexample a channel quality indication (“CQI”), a data rate control(“DRC”) indication, or some other suitable information. In some cases,this information may be sent to the access point 104 and the accesspoint 104 may forward this information to the network node 114 for usein interference management operations. In some aspects, the network node114 may use such information to determine whether there is interferenceon a downlink or to determine whether interference in the downlink isincreasing or decreasing.

As will be described in more detail below, in some cases theinterference-related information may be used to determine how tomitigate interference. As one example, CQI or other suitable informationmay be received on a per-HARQ interlace basis whereby it may bedetermined which HARQ interlaces are associated with the lowest level ofinterference. A similar technique may be employed for other fractionalreuse techniques.

It should be appreciated that the network node 114 may define parametersin various other ways. For example, in some cases the network node 114may randomly select one or more parameters.

As represented by block 204, the network node 114 (e.g., thecommunication controller 326) sends the defined interference managementparameters to the access point 104. As will be discussed below, in somecases the access point 104 uses these parameters and in some cases theaccess point 104 forwards these parameters to the access terminal 110.

In some cases, the network node 114 may manage interference in thesystem by defining the interference management parameters to be used bytwo or more nodes (e.g., access points and/or access terminals) in thesystem. For example, in the case of a fractional reuse scheme, thenetwork node 114 may send different (e.g., mutually exclusive)interference management parameters to neighboring access points (e.g.,access points that are close enough to potentially interfere with oneanother). As a specific example, the network node 114 may assign a firstHARQ interlace to the access point 104 and assign a second HARQinterlace to the access point 106. In this way, communication at onerestricted access point may not substantially interfere withcommunication at the other restricted access point.

As represented by block 206, the access point 104 (e.g., theinterference controller 322) determines interference managementparameters that it may use or that may send to the access terminal 110.In cases where the network node 114 defines the interference managementparameters for the access point 104, this determination operation maysimply involve receiving the specified parameters and/or retrieving thespecified parameters (e.g., from a data memory).

In some cases the access point 104 determines the interferencemanagement parameters on its own. These parameters may be similar to theparameters discussed above in conjunction with block 202. In addition,in some cases these parameters may be determined in a similar manner asdiscussed above at block 202. For example, the access point 104 mayreceive information (e.g., measurement reports, CQI, DRC) from theaccess terminal 110. In addition, the access point 104 may monitor anuplink and/or a downlink to determine the interference on such a link.The access point 104 also may randomly select a parameter.

In some cases, the access point 104 may cooperate with one or more otheraccess points to determine an interference management parameter. Forexample, in some cases the access point 104 may communicate with theaccess point 106 to determine which parameters are being used by theaccess point 106 (and thereby selects different parameters) or tonegotiate the use of different (e.g., mutually exclusive) parameters. Insome cases, the access point 104 may determine whether it may interferewith another node (e.g., based on CQI feedback that indicates thatanother node is using a resource) and, if so, define its interferencemanagement parameters to mitigate such potential interference.

As represented by block 208, the access point 104 (e.g., thecommunication controller 328) may send interference managementparameters or other related information to the access terminal 110. Insome cases this information may relate to power control (e.g., specifiesuplink transmit power).

As represented by blocks 210 and 212, the access point 104 may thustransmit to the access terminal 110 on the downlink or the accessterminal 110 may transmit to the access point 104 on the uplink. Here,the access point 104 may use its interference management parameters totransmit on the downlink and/or receive on the uplink. Similarly, theaccess terminal 110 may take these interference management parametersinto account when receiving on the downlink or transmitting on theuplink.

In some implementations the access terminal 110 (e.g., the interferencecontroller 306) may define one or more interference managementparameters. Such a parameter may be used by the access terminal 110and/or sent (e.g., by the communication controller 330) to the accesspoint 104 (e.g., for use during uplink operations).

FIG. 4 illustrates a wireless communication system 400, configured tosupport a number of users, in which the teachings herein may beimplemented. The system 400 provides communication for multiple cells402, such as, for example, macro cells 402A-402G, with each cell beingserviced by a corresponding access node 404 (e.g., access nodes404A-404G). As shown in FIG. 4, access terminals 406 (e.g., accessterminals 406A-406L) may be dispersed at various locations throughoutthe system over time. Each access terminal 406 may communicate with oneor more access nodes 404 on a downlink (DL) (also known as forward link(FL)) and/or an uplink (UL) (also known as a reverse link (RL)) at agiven moment, depending upon whether the access terminal 406 is activeand whether it is in soft handoff, for example. The wirelesscommunication system 400 may provide service over a large geographicregion. For example, macro cells 402A-402G may cover a few blocks in aneighborhood.

As stated, a node or localized access point that provides coverage overa relatively small area (e.g., a residence) may be referred to as afemto node. FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary communication system 500where one or more femto nodes are deployed within a network environment.Specifically, the system 500 includes multiple femto nodes 510 (e.g.,femto nodes 510A and 510B) installed in a relatively small scale networkenvironment (e.g., in one or more user residences 530). Each femto node510 may be coupled to a wide area network 540 (e.g., the Internet) and amobile operator core network 550 via a DSL router, a cable modem, awireless link, or other connectivity means (not shown). As will bediscussed below, each femto node 510 may be configured to serveassociated access terminals 520 (e.g., access terminal 520A) and,optionally, non-associated (alien) access terminals 520 (e.g., accessterminal 520F). In other words, access to femto nodes 510 may berestricted whereby a given access terminal 520 may be served by a set ofdesignated home femto node(s) 510 but may not be served by anynon-designated foreign (alien) femto nodes 510 (e.g., a neighbor's femtonode 510).

FIG. 5B illustrates a more detailed view of negative geometries ofmultiple femto nodes and access terminals within a network environment.Specifically, the femto node 510A and femto node 510B are respectivelydeployed in neighboring user residence 530A and user residence 530B.Access terminals 520A-520C are permitted to associate and communicatewith femto node 510A, but not with femto node 510B. Likewise, accessterminal 520D and access terminal 520E are permitted to associate andcommunicate with femto node 510B, but not with femto node 510A. Accessterminal 520F and access terminal 520 G are not permitted to associateor communicate with either femto node 510A or femto node 510B. Accessterminal 520F and access terminal 520G may be associated with a macrocell access node 560 (FIG. 5A), or another femto node in anotherresidence (not shown).

In unplanned femto node 510 deployments with restricted associations(i.e., an access point may not be allowed to associate with the“closest” femto node providing the most favorable signal quality),jamming and negative geometries can be common. Solutions to addressthese negative geometries will be further discussed below.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a coverage map 600 where severaltracking areas 602 (or routing areas or location areas) are defined,each of which includes several macro coverage areas 604. Here, areas ofcoverage associated with tracking areas 602A, 602B, and 602C aredelineated by the wide lines and the macro coverage areas 604 arerepresented by the hexagons. The tracking areas 602 also include femtocoverage areas 606. In this example, each of the femto coverage areas606 (e.g., femto coverage area 606C) is depicted within a macro coveragearea 604 (e.g., macro coverage area 604B). It should be appreciated,however, that a femto coverage area 606 may not lie entirely within amacro coverage area 604. In practice, a large number of femto coverageareas 606 may be defined with a given tracking area 602 or macrocoverage area 604. Also, one or more pico coverage areas (not shown) maybe defined within a given tracking area 602 or macro coverage area 604.

Referring again to FIGS. 5A-5B, the owner of a femto node 510 maysubscribe to mobile service, such as, for example, 3G mobile service,offered through the mobile operator core network 550. In addition, anaccess terminal 520 may be capable of operating both in macroenvironments and in smaller scale (e.g., residential) networkenvironments. In other words, depending on the current location of theaccess terminal 520, the access terminal 520 may be served by an accessnode 560 of the macro cell mobile network 550 or by any one of a set offemto nodes 510 (e.g., the femto nodes 510A and 510B that reside withina corresponding user residence 530). For example, when a subscriber isoutside his home, he is served by a standard macro access node (e.g.,node 560) and when the subscriber is at home, he is served by a femtonode (e.g., node 510A). Here, it should be appreciated that a femto node520 may be backward compatible with existing access terminals 520.

A femto node 510 may be deployed on a single frequency or, in thealternative, on multiple frequencies. Depending on the particularconfiguration, the single frequency or one or more of the multiplefrequencies may overlap with one or more frequencies used by a macronode (e.g., node 560).

In some aspects, an access terminal 520 may be configured to connect toa preferred femto node (e.g., the home femto node of the associatedaccess terminal 520) whenever such connectivity is possible. Forexample, whenever the access terminal 520 is within the user's residence530, it may be desired that the access terminal 520 communicate onlywith the home femto node 510.

In some aspects, if the access terminal 520 operates within the macrocellular network 550 but is not residing on its most preferred network(e.g., as defined in a preferred roaming list), the access terminal 520may continue to search for the most preferred network (e.g., the homefemto node 510) using a Better System Reselection (“BSR”), which mayinvolve a periodic scanning of available systems to determine whetherbetter systems are currently available, and subsequent efforts toassociate with such preferred systems. With the acquisition entry, theaccess terminal 520 may limit the search for specific band and channel.For example, the search for the most preferred system may be repeatedperiodically. Upon discovery of a preferred femto node 510, the accessterminal 520 selects the femto node 510 for camping within its coveragearea.

A femto node may be restricted in some aspects. For example, a givenfemto node may only provide certain services to certain accessterminals. In deployments with so-called restricted (or closed)association, a given access terminal may only be served by the macrocell mobile network and a defined set of femto nodes (e.g., the femtonodes 510 that reside within the corresponding user residence 530). Insome implementations, a node may be restricted to not provide, for atleast one node, at least one of: signaling, data access, registration,paging, or service.

In some aspects, a restricted or foreign (alien) femto node (which mayalso be referred to as a Closed Subscriber Group Home NodeB) is one thatprovides service to a restricted provisioned set of access terminals.This set may be temporarily or permanently extended as necessary. Insome aspects, a Closed Subscriber Group (“CSG”) may be defined as theset of access nodes (e.g., femto nodes) that share a common accesscontrol list of access terminals. A channel on which all femto nodes (orall restricted femto nodes) in a region operate may be referred to as afemto channel.

Various relationships may thus exist between a given femto node and agiven access terminal. For example, from the perspective of an accessterminal, an open femto node may refer to a femto node with norestricted association. A restricted femto node may refer to a femtonode that is restricted in some manner (e.g., restricted for associationand/or registration). A home femto node may refer to a femto node onwhich the access terminal is authorized to access and operate on. Aguest femto node may refer to a femto node on which an access terminalis temporarily authorized to access or operate on. A restricted orforeign (alien) femto node may refer to a femto node on which the accessterminal is not authorized to access or operate on, except for perhapsemergency situations (e.g., 911 calls).

From a restricted or foreign femto node perspective, an associated orhome access terminal may refer to an access terminal that authorized toaccess the restricted femto node. A guest access terminal may refer toan access terminal with temporary access to the restricted femto node. Anon-associated (alien) access terminal may refer to an access terminalthat does not have permission to access the restricted femto node,except for perhaps emergency situations, for example, such as 911 calls(e.g., an access terminal that does not have the credentials orpermission to register with the restricted femto node).

For convenience, the disclosure herein describes various functionalityin the context of a femto node. It should be appreciated, however, thata pico node may provide the same or similar functionality for a largercoverage area. For example, a pico node may be restricted, a home piconode may be defined for a given access terminal, and so on.

A wireless multiple-access communication system may simultaneouslysupport communication for multiple wireless access terminals. Asmentioned above, each terminal may communicate with one or more basestations via transmissions on the downlink (forward link) and uplink(reverse link). The downlink refers to the communication link from thebase stations to the terminals, and the uplink refers to thecommunication link from the terminals to the base stations. Thiscommunication link may be established via a single-in-single-out system,a multiple-in-multiple-out (“MIMO”) system, or some other type ofsystem.

A MIMO system employs multiple (N_(T)) transmit antennas and multiple(N_(R)) receive antennas for data transmission. A MIMO channel formed bythe N_(T) transmit and N_(R) receive antennas may be decomposed intoN_(S) independent channels, which are also referred to as spatialchannels, where N_(S)≦min{N_(T), N_(R)}. Each of the N_(S) independentchannels corresponds to a dimension. The MIMO system may provideimproved performance (e.g., higher throughput and/or greaterreliability) if the additional dimensionalities created by the multipletransmit and receive antennas are utilized.

A MIMO system may support time division duplex (“TDD”) and frequencydivision duplex (“FDD”). In a TDD system, the forward and reverse linktransmissions are on the same frequency region so that the reciprocityprinciple allows the estimation of the downlink (forward link) channelfrom the uplink (reverse link) channel. This enables the access point toextract transmit beam-forming gain on the downlink when multipleantennas are available at the access point.

As stated, in unplanned base station deployments with restrictedassociation (i.e., a mobile station is not allowed to associate with the“closest” base station to which it has the strongest link), jamming andnegative geometries can be common. In one exemplary embodiment spatiallydescribed in conjunction with FIG. 5B, the femto node 510A and femtonode 510B are deployed in neighboring residences. Access terminals520A-520C are permitted to associate and communicate with femto node510A, but not with femto node 510B. Likewise, access terminals 520D-520Eare permitted to associate and communicate with femto node 510B, but notwith femto node 510A. Access terminals 520F-520G are not permitted toassociate or communicate with either femto nodes 510A-510B. Accessterminals 520F-520G may be associated with a macro cell access node 560(FIG. 5A), or another femto node in another residence (not shown).Accordingly, such negative geometries respecting access-permitted femtonodes and neighboring access terminals may result if various interferingor jamming conditions on the uplink and downlink.

Uplink Jamming

By way of example, let L_(A3) (dB) and L_(A5) (dB) be the path lossbetween femto node 510A and access terminal 520C and access terminal520D, respectively. In particular, L_(A3) may be much larger thanL_(A5). Thus, when access terminal 520D transmits to its home femto node510B, it causes excessive interference (or jamming) at femto node 510A,effectively blocking the reception of access terminals 520A-C at femtonode 510A. In this uplink jamming situation, even if access terminal520C transmits at its maximum Tx power P_(3max), the received C/I foraccess terminal at femto node 510A may be characterized as:

C/I (AT 520C at femto node 510A)=P _(3max) −L _(A3)−(P ₅ −L _(A5))(dB)

In some exemplary embodiments, depending on the transmit power P₅, theC/I of access terminal 520C at femto node 510A may be a very largenegative value due to the large value of L_(A3). Such a configurationgeometry is referred to as a highly negative uplink geometry.

Downlink Jamming

Similarly, in one exemplary embodiment, L_(B5) may be much larger thanL_(A5). This implies that when femto node 510A transmits to accessterminal 520A, it may cause excessive interference (or jamming) ataccess terminal 520D, effectively blocking the reception of femto node510B at access terminal 520D. In this downlink jamming situation, thereceived C/I for femto node 510B at access terminal 520D may becalculated as follows:

C/I(femtocell B at AT 5)=P _(B) −L _(B5)−(P _(A) −L _(A5))(dB)

Again, the C/I of femto node 510B at access terminal 520D may be a verylarge negative value due to the large value of L_(B5). Such aconfiguration geometry is referred to as a highly negative downlinkgeometry.

A further practical consideration includes addressing negativegeometries without necessitating modifications to the operation ofdeployed (legacy) access terminals. Therefore, it is desirable in thepresent exemplary embodiment to address interference mitigation fromnegative geometries through modification processes in a femto noderather than requiring modifications to access terminals. Accordingly,negative geometries at the uplink and downlink are desirably addressedaccording to an exemplary embodiment disclosed below.

Referring now to FIG. 7 and with further reference to FIGS. 5A-5B,operations relating to the use of beam-steering and null-steering toaddress jamming and negative geometries will be described in moredetail. The present exemplary embodiment uses methods and apparatus toprevent jamming and negative geometries using beamsteering and nullsteering in unplanned base station deployments with restricted access.

In an exemplary femto node deployment scenario, nearby signals (desiredor interference) may be Rician by nature which includes a strongdirectional component and flat fading across the frequency band (due tothe small delay-spread and multiple reflected paths in indoorenvironments). Especially for jamming situations, sectorization mayprovide a desirable method for combating a strong Rician component ofinterference.

As represented by block 702, a femto node 510 continuously listens(i.e., receives according to the various receiver configurationsdescribe herein) for transmissions from access terminals 520. Asrepresented by query 704, the femto node 510 determines if an accessprobe (e.g., transmission) by an access terminal are directed to thefemto node 510. If the detected access probe of the access terminal isdirected to the specific femto node 510, then, as represented by block706, no interference mitigation is necessary since the access terminalis an “associated” access terminal with the “home” femto node.

As represented by query 708, femto node 510 further compares acharacteristic (e.g., power level) of the access probe for determiningif the characteristic is of a sufficient threshold level to result ininterference at the home femto node. When the access probe does notexceed an interference threshold, then, as represented by block 706, nointerference mitigation is necessary since the characteristic of theaccess probe by the “home” femto node 510 results in acceptableinterference.

As represented by block 710, when the home femto node 510 receives asufficiently strong (i.e., greater than an interference threshold)access probe or otherwise strong uplink transmission from thenon-associated access terminal 520, the home femto node 510 appliesbeam-forming (i.e., directional transmission and reception) antennas tosteer signals or lack of signals (e.g., nulls) toward the non-associatedaccess terminal 520 on the downlink and uplink.

By way of example, beam-forming (i.e., beam-steering) may be performedusing a sectorized or directional (e.g., switched beam) antennaconfiguration described herein for forming a transmission signal beamand/or null or a reception signal beam and/or null. Specifically,interference nulling may be provided on a received Radio Frequency (RF)signal thereby reducing problems such as front-end overload and A/Ddesensitization of the receiver which results from jamming femto nodes.Furthermore, sectorized or directional antenna configurations enable thedownlink and uplink to maintain the same directional component for usein both link directions.

As represented by block 712, downlink pilot and overhead transmissions,as well as traffic channel transmissions if any, are transmittedaccording to beam-forming such that minimal energy is directed towards anearby non-associated access terminal. Steering a transmission signalaway from a non-associated access terminal results in reduction in thenegative geometry at the non-associated access terminal.

As represented by block 714, a directional null is steered towards thenearby non-associated access terminal 520 using the antennaconfiguration (e.g., sectorized antennas or null-steering with adaptivephased arrays) described herein. Therefore, when an associated accessterminal 520 attempts to communicate with the home femto node 510, theassociated access terminal's access probe, as well as other traffic(e.g., voice/data) communications is not jammed by the strongtransmissions from the nearby non-associated access terminals havingnegative geometries.

As an example, if the access point employs two separate antennas AP canmonitor the AT access probe characteristics on both antennas. If it isdetermined that the strong uplink transmission from the non-associatedaccess terminal at one of the antennas, AP can turn off transmitfunction (beam steering) and turn off receive function (null steering)on that antenna.

As represented in query 716, periodically (e.g., once per second) thefemto node 510 eliminates the sectorization null in the receivedirection to determine, as represented in block 702, if the strongundesired non-associated access terminal 520 has moved or terminated itscommunication. If, as represented in query 704, the strong undesiredsignal has disappeared, the femto node 510 can eliminate thesectorization null and continue operation with omni-directional transmitand receive, as represented in block 706. If the strong undesired signalis still present or has moved and exceeds the threshold as representedby block 708, the femto node 510 can adjust the transmit and receivesectorization null steering, as represented in block 710, in thedirection of the undesired non-associated access terminal 520.

The above-example with reference to FIG. 5B illustrates femto node 510Asteering a receive and transmit sectorization null in the direction ofnon-associated access terminal 520D as long as non-associated accessterminal 520D was present and in an active call with femto node 510B.When non-associated access terminal 520D is idle, femto node 510A wouldrevert back to operating with omnidirectional transmit and receive.

During periods when the femto node is steering a sectorization null in aparticular direction, if there are any associated access terminals 520in the same direction they would experience outage. Accordingly, anexemplary embodiment, the femto node 510 steers the sectorization nulls(i) as long as the strong undesired non-associated access terminal 520is active, and (ii) only if the undesired transmission from thenon-associated access terminal 520 exceeds a high signal strengththreshold at the receiver as determined at query 408, signifying thataccess probes from desired associated access terminals would not bedecodable at the femto node 510. With reference to FIG. 5B, it is notedthat femto node 510B would have no need to steer a sectorization nulltowards non-associated access terminal 520A since the signal fromnon-associated access terminal 520A is not very strong. If femto node510B steers such a sectorization null towards non-associated accessterminal 520A, the sectorization null would resulting an outage atdesired associated access terminal 520E.

As a general case of the described method if the AP can not determinethe direction of the interference from the non-associated accessterminal (e.g., very strong jamming that saturates the AP receiver) itcan try different directions for beam steering and null steering tomaximize the received signal quality from associated AT.

Referring now to FIG. 8 and with further reference to FIGS. 5A-5B,operations relating to the use of optimization in transmit power onoverhead channels to address jamming and negative geometries will bedescribed in more detail. The present exemplary embodiment uses methodsand apparatus to prevent jamming and negative geometries using optimizedtransmit power levels on overhead channels in unplanned base stationdeployments.

Generally, the transmit power gain of overhead channels and totaltransmit power of a femto node are chosen based on the desired range ofa femto node. In order to allow access terminals to acquire a femto nodein a location where the access terminal is being jammed by a neighborfemto node that restricts association, the overhead channels (e.g.,common control channels such as pilot, synch and broadcast/paging) maybe time multiplexed. Various numbers of time scales and methods for timemultiplexing are contemplated. Furthermore, the overhead channels may beturned on only periodically, for example at the slot cycle index of theassociated access terminals, so that the associated access terminals mayreceive paging messages. In a further configuration, a femto node maynot transmit any signal at all.

However, during an active voice call or data transfer, there may be noidle periods that allow a neighbor femto node the opportunity to timemultiplex the overhead channels jamming situations resulting fromnegative geometries. Accordingly, an exemplary embodiment describes amethod for optimizing transmit power for overhead signals (e.g., pilot,synch and broadcast/paging channels) when there is an active call at afemto node and time multiplexing of overhead signals is not practical.

For example in 1xRTT and WCDMA networks, overhead channel (e.g., pilot,page, sych. channels) gain settings are adjusted for certain performancebased on geometry and coverage constraints. Furthermore, femto nodedeployments exhibit some significant differences when compared to macrocell access node deployments. Various differences include:

-   -   1. Due to limited coverage size, maximum path loss values are        much less in areas (e.g., cells) serviced by femto nodes        compared to areas (e.g., cells) serviced by macro cell access        nodes (e.g., 80 dB max path loss compared to 140 dB in a        macrocellular deployment);    -   2. The number of simultaneously active access terminals are        fewer in cells serviced by femto nodes than in cells serviced by        macro cell access nodes (e.g., 1-2 users compared to 20-40        users);    -   3. As discussed above, due to the femto node restricted        association requirements, negative geometries can be common for        femto node deployments unlike for macro cell access node        deployments.

These differences can result in very different optimal power settingsfor overhead channels for femto nodes 510. Since a femto node 510generally will have few to no active access terminals 520, it would bedesirable for the overhead channels to be maintained at a minimum powersetting in order to minimize interference to neighboring cells servicedby femto nodes 510 and cells serviced by macro cell access nodes 560(i.e., assuming co-channel operation). By way of example, one exemplaryembodiment focuses on pilot channel optimization, however, the analysiscan be applied to other overhead channels as well.

In the exemplary embodiment, an optimal traffic-to-pilot (“T2P”) valuefor the case of a single voice call is determined as well as a defaultpilot power setting, Ecp_(DEFAULT). When downlink (forward link) powercontrol results in a modified ratio of traffic-to-pilot, the pilot poweris adjusted so as to maintain the smallest value of total transmittedpower and interference caused by the neighbor femto node.

By way of example, an access terminal 520A at the boundary of home femtonode 510A and neighbor femto node 510B exhibits equal path loss to bothfemto nodes 510 and the neighbor femto node 520B is transmitting at fullpower thereby creating interference, Ior_max. In the present example,assuming the home femto node 510A is transmitting a pilot channel at again level, Ecp, then the pilot signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can bewritten as: Ecp/Ior_max. According to the present exemplary embodiment,it is desirable to find the optimal Ecp setting that results in lowesttotal transmitted power from a home femto node 510A.

As represented by block 802, the pilot channel gain level Ecp isinitialized to Ecp_(DEFAULT). Thus, a default value of Ecp(Ecp_(DEFAULT)) can be determined based on a reasonable load and pathloss differential values expected in femto networks.

As represented in block 804, a traffic call (e.g., voice call) is set upbetween the home femto 510A and an access terminal 520A with the powerused on traffic channel denoted as Ect. In one exemplary embodiment, theEct value is determined by the downlink (forward link) power control, asrepresented by query 806. Downlink (forward link FL) power control isused to maintain the required quality of service (e.g, packet errorrate, PER). Downlink (forward link FL) power controls may eitherdesignate a decrease in Ect as represented by block 808, an increase inEct as represented by block 810, or no change in Ect.

As represented in query 812, a determination of the packet error rate(PER) is used to identify adequate signal quality. Generally, if Ecp isvery low, then channel estimation quality would degrade which willresult in very large Ect. As Ecp increases, channel estimation willimprove and the required Ect will go down. However, if Ecp is verylarge, then channel estimation quality will be higher than the requiredamount, which will not result any further reduction in Ect. Accordingly,when PER is inadequate, downlink (forward link FL) power control adjuststhe Ect.

Since the interference generated to other femto nodes needs to beminimized, it would be desirable to have the optimal Ecp value thatresults in the minimum (Ect+Ecp). As represented by block 814,Ecp_(OPTIMAL) is determined where:

${Ecp}_{OPTIMAL} = {\arg {\min\limits_{Ecp}\left\lbrack {{Ecp} + {f({Ecp})}} \right\rbrack}}$

in other optimal Ecp value is found that minimizes total transmit powerwhere

Ect=ƒ(Ecp)

(The function ƒ(.) can be determined through offline simulations ortests.)

Then, as represented by block 816, the optimal Ect value is determinedas:

Ect _(OPTIMAL)=ƒ(Ecp _(OPTIMAL)).

As represented by block 818, the T2P_(OPTIMAL) is determined as:

${T\; 2P_{OPTIMAL}} = {\frac{{Ect}_{OPTIMAL}}{{Ecp}_{OPTIMAL}}.}$

In another exemplary embodiment, simulations may be run to find theEcp_(OPTIMAL) and Ect_(OPTIMAL) for typical channel types expected incells of femto nodes using, for example, flat fading models, eitherRayleigh or Rician, with low Doppler that can be tracked by powercontrol. These optimal values depend, in one exemplary embodiment, onthe particular path loss differential of the access terminal to neighborfemto node and the interference power received from the neighbor femtonode (e.g., if the mobile terminal has 3 dB less path loss to neighborfemto compared to home femto, then the optimal Ecp and Ect values wouldneed to increased by 3 dB).

On the other hand, in an alternate exemplary embodiment, if neighborfemto node is transmitting at half of Ior_max, then optimal Ecp and Ectvalues would need to be reduced by 3 dB. However, also note that it isnot very practical to change Ecp values very frequently since itdetermines the handoff boundaries of the femto cell. Thus, as stated, adefault value of Ecp (Ecp_(DEFAULT)) can be determined based on areasonable load and path loss differential values expected in femtonetworks.

Referring now to FIG. 9, to maintain optimal operation for cases withhigher then expected load and path loss differential, in one exemplaryembodiment, the following algorithm can be run for each of a pluralityof calls occurring between a femto node and multiple associated accessterminals.

As represented by block 902, the pilot channel gain level Ecp isinitialized to Ecp_(DEFAULT) for analysis of each voice call. Thus, adefault value of Ecp (Ecp_(DEFAULT)) can be determined based on areasonable load and path loss differential values expected in femtonetworks.

As represented in block 904, the process is repeated for each call setup between the home femto 510A and associated access terminals 520 withthe power used on traffic channel denoted as Ect. In one exemplaryembodiment, the Ect value is determined by the downlink (forward linkFL) power control, as represented by query 906. Downlink (forward linkFL) power control is used to maintain the required quality of service(e.g, packet error rate, PER). Downlink (forward link FL) power controlsmay either designate a decrease in Ect as represented by block 908, anincrease in Ect as represented by block 910, or no change in Ect.

As represented in query 912, a determination of the packet error rate(PER) is used to identify adequate signal quality. Accordingly, when PERis inadequate, downlink (forward link FL) power control adjusts the Ect.

As represented by block 918, the T2P_(FILTERED) (e.g.,Ect_(FILTERED)/Ecp_(FILTERED)) is monitored during the call. The purposeof filtering T2P would be to eliminate small scale fluctuations from theT2P calculation. E.g., a moving average filter can be used to filter Ectand Ecp values to compute Ect_(FILTERED) and Ecp_(FILTERED)respectively.

As represented in query 920, a determination is made as to the value ofT2P_(FILTERED). If T2P_(FILTERED)>T2P_(OPTIMAL)+Δ₁, then as representedin block 922 Ecp is increased to

Ecp= ^(Ect) ^(FILTERED) /_(T2P) _(OPTIMAL) .

As represented in query 924, a determination is made as the value ofT2P_(FILTERED). If T2P_(FILTERED)<T2P_(OPTIMAL)−Δ₂, then as representedin block 926 Ecp is decreased to

Ecp=max[^(Ect) ^(FILTERED) /_(T2P) _(OPTIMAL) ,Ecp _(DEFAULT)].

T2P_(OPTIMAL) depends on particular traffic configuration (rate, codingetc.). For example, if two users are performing voice calls with samerate vocoders, they would have same T2P_(OPTIMAL). However if there isanother user performing data transfer (e.g., 1xRTT data transfer at 153kbps) it would require a different T2P_(OPTIMAL). Once the T2P_(OPTIMAL)is determined for given user (based on its traffic type), then thealgorithm automatically adjusts Ecp. The above algorithm is specifiedfor one user. If there are multiple users, then the algorithm may resultin different Ecp values for each user. However, overhead channels arecommon to all users and we can only have one Ecp setting. Thus thealgorithm could be generalized to a multiple users case. By way ofexample, an “optimal” Ecp_(i) for each user (i=1, . . . , N) in thesystem could be found as described above and then an actual Ecp could bedecided as max(Ecp₁, . . . , Ecp_(N)). Another option could be to findthe optimal Ecp such that total power transmitted as overhead andtraffic to all users is minimized. This would mean a modification of thecalculation of box 814 to:

${Ecp}_{OPTIMAL} = {\arg {\min\limits_{Ecp}\left\lbrack {{Ecp} + {f_{1}\left( {Ecp}_{1} \right)} + \ldots + {f_{N}\left( {Ecp}_{N} \right)}} \right\rbrack}}$

for users 1 to N in the femtocell. The purpose of filtering T2P would beto eliminate small scale fluctuations from the T2P calculation. E.g., amoving average filter can be used to filter Ect and Ecp values tocompute Ect_(FILTERED) and Ecp_(FILTERED) respectively.

The optimal T2P may be obtained through simulations and once the T2P isdecided, power control adjust Ect (which is part of standard 3Goperation) may be determined. Then the Ecp is adjusted toachieve/maintain optimal T2P. Specifically, two algorithms may runtogether: 1) the power control algorithm adjusting Ect and 2) theadjustment of Ecp described herein.

In the above algorithm, Δ₁ and Δ₂ are hystheresis parameters used toprevent fast fluctuations of Ecp. Furthermore, in order to preventabrupt changes of Ecp equations above may be modified, in one exemplaryembodiment, to let the Ecp correction to be performed more slowly.Lastly, other overhead channels (e.g., page, sych) can be adjusted basedon the pilot power level (i.e., their relative power level with respectto pilot power level can be kept constant).

Accordingly, exemplary embodiments have been described for reducingtransmit power for overhead signals (e.g., pilot, synch andbroadcast/paging channels) when there is an active call at a femto nodeby determining an optimal overhead signal power level. The exemplaryembodiment has been disclosed by way of example using in the pilotchannel as the exemplary channel, however, the analysis can be appliedto other overhead channels as well.

Referring now to FIG. 10 and with further reference to FIGS. 5A-5B,operations relating to the use of frequency selective transmission toaddress jamming and negative geometries will be described in moredetail. As stated, due to unplanned deployment of femto nodes, thereceived SINR for an associated access terminal can become very low dueto interference from a neighbor femto node transmission. Thisinterference degrades control channel and traffic channel performancefor the access terminal and may result in outages or decreased services.The exemplary embodiment disclosed herein addresses operations toimprove the performance of an access terminal in a high interferencearea without the need to change legacy access terminals.

Generally, the exemplary embodiment introduces intentional frequencyselectivity in downlink transmissions by orthogonalizing the transmitwaveform among neighboring femto nodes to minimize interference. As anexample, each femto node 510 selects transmit pulse shaping via channelsensing from available waveforms, for example, from three 3-tap channelwaveforms, with each coefficient set from a given row of, for example, a3×3 DFT matrix. In this case each for a given access point, thetransmitted waveform would be filtered by a three tap FIR (in additionto normal baseband filtering) with filter impulse responses selectedfrom one of the following three waveforms:

h₁[n] = δ[n] + δ[n − 2] + δ[n − 4] $\begin{matrix}{{h_{2}\lbrack n\rbrack} = {{\delta \lbrack n\rbrack} + {^{j\frac{2\; \pi}{3}}{\delta \left\lbrack {n - 2} \right\rbrack}} + {^{{- j}\frac{2\; \pi}{3}}{\delta \left\lbrack {n - 4} \right\rbrack}}}} \\{= {{\delta \lbrack n\rbrack} + {\left( {{- 0.5} + {j\; 0.866}} \right) \cdot {\delta \left\lbrack {n - 2} \right\rbrack}} + {\left( {{- 0.5} - {j\; 0.866}} \right) \cdot}}} \\{{\delta \left\lbrack {n - 4} \right\rbrack}}\end{matrix}$ $\begin{matrix}{{h_{3}\lbrack n\rbrack} = {{{\delta \lbrack n\rbrack} + {^{{- j}\frac{2\; \pi}{3}}{\delta \left\lbrack {n - 2} \right\rbrack}} + {^{j\frac{2\; \pi}{3}}{\delta \left\lbrack {n - 4} \right\rbrack}}} =}} \\{= {{\delta \lbrack n\rbrack} + {\left( {{- 0.5} - {j\; 0.866}} \right) \cdot {\delta \left\lbrack {n - 2} \right\rbrack}} + {\left( {{- 0.5} + {j\; 0.866}} \right) \cdot}}} \\{{\delta \left\lbrack {n - 4} \right\rbrack}}\end{matrix}$

where exp(jx)=cos(x)+j sin(x).

An alternative choice is two impulse responses with coefficient from 2×2DFT (N=2). The choice of transmit filter stays for a certain period,after which the femto node 510 may make the selection again based onchannel sensing.

With initial reference to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 describes method forinterference management in a wireless communication system transmitwaveform selection. As represented by block 1002, a set of N transmitwaveforms are allocated to femto nodes 510 for use in downlinktransmissions. In one exemplary embodiment, the channel waveforms may beformed from coefficients of an N-tap channel filter with eachcoefficient set being derived from a specific row in an N×N DFT matrix.

As represented by block 1004, a femto node 510 selects a defaultwaveform upon initialization (e.g., power up) according to a definedselection process (e.g., randomization, randomly assigned by thenetwork, etc.). The default waveform from the set of N transmit(downlink) waveforms. The default waveform is initially assigned as thepreferred transmit waveform, TxWave_(PREFERRED).

As represented by query 1006, the femto node 510 transmits on thedownlink using the preferred transmit waveform when a call is initiated.Call setup with the associated access terminal 520 occurs and includeschannel quality indications (e.g., Channel Quality Indicator CQI, DataRate Control DRC) determined by the access terminal 520 and forwarded tothe femto node 510 on the uplink.

As represented by query 1008, the femto node initiates a waveformtesting cycle for a time period of T_test_waveform until all thepossible waveforms have been tested. As represented by block 1010, thefemto node 510 communicates with the associated access terminal 520using the current waveform. The associated access terminal receives thedownlink transmissions and generates a channel quality indication inresponse to the signal quality. The channel quality indication isforwarded in the uplink (reverse link) to the femto node 510.

As represented by block 1012, the femto node monitors the uplink todetermine the channel quality using the current waveform based on thereceived channel quality indication. The femto node 510 may either forma table of waveforms and corresponding channel quality indications, orcompare the current channel quality indication with any previous channelquality indications and retained an indication of the preferredwaveform.

As represented by block 1014, the waveform testing increments to thenext allocated waveform for continued evaluation. The exemplary waveformselection process iterates until the possible waveforms have beenengaged for transmission on the downlink and the corresponding channelquality indication has been received on the uplink. As represented byblock 1016, the preferred waveform based upon channel qualitydetermination is then selected as the preferred transmit waveform whichprovides the best channel quality in the presence of interference fromnegative geometries associated with deployments of other unplanned basestation deployments.

As represented by block 1018, the preferred waveform may be periodicallyupdated based upon various factors including a specific time period,call termination, channel quality degradation threshold or other channelconditions know by those of ordinary skill in the art. Upon an updatedetermination, processing returns to evaluate the channel quality of thevarious possible transmit waveforms.

The present exemplary embodiment manages interference from strongneighboring interference energy due to orthogonality of the Fourierseries on the dominant signal energy during convolution, at the expenseof creating self-noise through ISI and thereby limiting performance athigh geometry. Further gains could be achieved with the use of MMSEequalizer due to different frequency coloring of impulse responses forthe desired and interference signals. This mechanism is feasible in afemto node configuration as the delay spread is significantly smallerthan one chip interval.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11B and with further reference to FIGS.5A-5B, operations relating to the use of adaptive noise figure and pathloss adjustment to address jamming and negative geometries will bedescribed in more detail. The present exemplary embodiment uses methodsand apparatus to prevent jamming and address jamming and negativegeometries using adaptive noise figures and path loss adjustments.

Generally, femto nodes are connected to the Internet 540 and the mobileoperator core network 550 via a wide band connection (e.g., DSL routeror cable modem). Since the RF coverage of femto nodes 510 is notmanually optimized by the mobile operator core network 550 anddeployment is generally ad hoc, serious RF interference issues may ariseunless appropriate interference mitigation methods are utilized.

In a macro cell network, access terminals 520 and macro cell accessnodes 560 are designed to operate in a certain dynamic range. In cellsformed by femto nodes 510, a home femto node 510 and an associatedaccess terminal 520 may be arbitrarily spatially nearby, thus creatingvery high signal levels beyond the sensitivity range of the respectivereceivers. On a downlink (forward link FL), such a configuration cansaturate the receiver of associated access terminal and create degradeddemodulation performance. On the reverse link, such a configuration cancreate very high noise rise (RoT), also known to create instability atthe home femto node 510. Thus maximum and minimum transmit power levelsand receiver noise figure values need to be adjusted accordingly forhome femto nodes 510. This situation is illustrate in FIG. 5B withreference to home femto node 510A and associated access terminal 520A.

Femto nodes 510B can cause interference both on the uplink UL (reverselink RL)) and in the downlink DL (forward link FL) of cells serviced bymacro cell access nodes 560. For example a femto node 510B installed,for example, near a window of a residence 530B can cause significantdownlink DL interference to the access terminals 520F outside the house(i.e., non-associated access terminal) that are not served by the femtonode 510B. Also, on the uplink UL, the associated access terminals 520that are served by a specific home femto node 510 can cause significantinterference on the macro cell access nodes 560.

On the uplink UL, non-associated access terminals 520F that are servedby the macro cell access nodes 560 can cause significant interference onthe home femto node 510A.

As stated, femto nodes 510 can also create significant interference toeach other due to unplanned deployment. For example in nearby residences530, a femto node 510 installed near a wall separating two residences530 can cause significant interference to a neighboring femto node 510in an adjacent residence 530. In such a case, the strongest signal (interms of RF signal strength) from a femto node 510 to an access terminal520 may not necessarily be the associated access terminal's home femtonode due to restricted association requirement described above. Such ascenario is illustrated in FIG. 5B where on the downlink DL, femto node510A may cause significant interference (e.g., low SINR) to accessterminal 520D. Also, on the uplink UL, non-associated access terminal520D may cause significant interference (e.g., high RoT) to foreign(alien) femto node 510A.

For example, on the uplink of CDMA wireless networks, system stabilityand load is usually determined by the metric: rise over thermal (RoT),also know as noise rise, at the femto node. Rise over thermal (RoT)indicates the ratio between the total power received from all sources atthe femto node and the thermal noise:

RoT=(Ioc+Ior+No)/No,

where

-   -   Ior: Total received power received at the femto node from all        wireless devices for whom femto node is in their active set    -   Ioc: Total received power received at the femto node from all        wireless devices for whom femto node is not in their active set    -   No: Variance of the thermal noise including the femto node noise        figure (NF).

For stable system operation on the uplink UL, RoT needs to becontrolled. Typically, RoT is controlled to be around 5 dB and higher.High RoT values can cause significant performance degradation. Forexample, in FIG. 5B for the two neighboring cells formed by femto nodes510A and 510B, high RoT caused by access terminal 520D at femto node510A results in performance degradation for associated access terminal520C. One specific interfering scenario occurs when neighbor accessterminal 520D has bursty uplink UL traffic and exhibits overly highpower levels (e.g., in close proximity) at femto node 510A. Accordingly,during high rate data uplink UL bursts from access terminal 520D, theRoT at femto node 510A goes above 20 dB. Furthermore, the uplink ULpower control mechanism in CDMA systems (e.g., CDMA2000, WCDMA, 1xEV-DO)is design to combat this type of interference scenarios. However due toexcessive variation in RoT, the mechanism may take some time for femtonode 510A to power control associated access terminal 520C to overcomethe interference caused by non-associated access terminal 520D.Meanwhile the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) of associated accessterminal 520C falls below required levels resulting in consecutivepacket errors on the uplink UL from associated access terminal 520C tohome femto node 510A.

To minimize the sudden drop in SIR in the described scenario, onealternative could be to increase the power control step size on theuplink UL as conveyed from home femto node 510A to associated accessterminal 520C. However, there are usually upper limits on the powercontrol step size imposed by the communication standards since othersystem degradations occur when a system operates at very high powercontrol step size. Thus it is desirable to control the RoT level at thefemto node 510.

In order to prevent an abrupt jump in RoT due to sudden increase ininterference created by non-associated access terminals (e.g.,interference created by non-associated access terminal 520D at femtonode 510A), the noise figure NF can be increased or the received signalcan be attenuated by adding some path loss (PL) component on the uplinkUL. However, such an operation is performed at the femto nodeexperiencing high levels of interference. For example, in the scenarioshown in FIG. 5B, if both femto node 510A and femto node 510B increasethe noise figure NF or attenuation by the same amount, the result islarger uplink UL transmit power levels for both access terminals 520Cand access terminal 520D. As a result, the high RoT problem occurring atfemto node 510A is not remedied.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the femto node exhibiting highRoT, femto node 510A in the present scenario, increases its noise figureNF or attenuation level while femto nodes not exhibiting high RoT, femtonode 510B in the present scenario, keep their noise figures NFs constantas long as they are not experiencing high levels of out-of-cellinterference. Thus, a method is provided to adjust the noise figure NFor attenuation when there is high level of out-of-cell interference at aparticular femto node. According to an exemplary embodiment for managinginterference in a wireless communication system, RoT at a given timeslot n can be expressed as:

RoT(n) = [Ioc(n) + Ior(n) + No(n)]/No(n) and${{Ior}(n)} = {\sum\limits_{i \in {InCell}}{{Ec}_{i}(n)}}$

where Ec_(i) is the total received energy per user i.

With initial reference to FIGS. 11A-11B, FIGS. 11A-11B describe a methodfor interference management in a wireless communication system usingadaptive noise figure and path loss adjustment to adaptively adjust pathloss for controlling RoT. It is noted that the adjustment factor can beapplied either to uplink UL attenuation or the noise figure NF of thefemto node.

As represented by query 1104, the operations described herein may occurperiodically, such as upon the occurrence of a subsequent time slot n.By way of example, at every slot n, the femto node 510 may perform thefollowing method to provide interference management to a communicationsystem. As represented by block 1104, various signals are measured andlevels are computed. Specifically as represented by block 1106, athermal noise figure: No(n) is measured at the femto node 510. Thethermal noise figure No(n) is the variance of the thermal noiseincluding the femto node noise figure (NF).

As represented by block 1108, a total received signal strength Io(n) ismeasured. The total received signal strength Io(n) is the total receivedpower received at the femto node from all wireless devices for whomfemto node is in their active set and from all wireless devices for whomfemto node is not in their active set. As represented by block 1112, thein-cell (associated access terminal) interference level Ior, which isthe total received power received at the femto node from all wirelessdevices for whom femto node is in their active set, is computed. Thecomputed in-cell interference level can be expressed as:

${{Ior}(n)} = {\sum\limits_{i \in {InCell}}{{Ec}_{i}(n)}}$

As represented by block 1110, a received pilot chip energy Ecp(n) tointerference and noise Nt(n) ratio is measured from all wireless devicesfor whom the femto node is in their active set.

As represented by block 1114, the out-of-cell (non-associated accessterminal) interference level Ioc, which is the total received powerreceived at the femto node from all wireless devices for whom femto nodeis not in their active set, is computed. The computed out-of-cellinterference level can be expressed as:

Ioc(n)=Io(n)−Ior(n)−No(n)

As represented by block 1116 the received out-of-cell interference levelto the thermal noise figure No(n) ratio and maximum filtered receivedpilot chip energy Ecp(n) to interference plus noise Nt(n) ratio amongin-cell access terminals are computed. As represented by block 1118, theaccess terminal signal-to-noise ratio measured as the received pilotchip energy Ecp(n) to interference and noise Nt(n) ratio for all in-cellaccess terminals are filtered, by way of example, according to infiniteimpulse response (IIR) filtering in the dB domain. The maximum filteredvalue among access terminals for whom the femto node is in their activeset can be expressed as:

${\max \overset{\_}{\left( \frac{{Ecp}(n)}{{Nt}(n)} \right)}} = {\max\limits_{i \in {{in}\text{-}{cell}\mspace{14mu} {access}\mspace{14mu} {terminals}}}\left\lbrack {{filter}\left( \frac{{Ecp}_{i}(n)}{{Nt}_{i}(n)} \right)} \right\rbrack}$

As represented by block 1120, the signal-to-noise ratio of theout-of-cell received interference level Ioc and the thermal noise figureNo(n) are computed. The signal-to-noise ratio is also further filtered,by way of example, according to finite impulse response (FIR) filteringin the dB domain. The computed out-of-cell (non-associated accessterminal) signal-to-noise ratio can be expressed as:

$\overset{\_}{\left( \frac{{Ioc}(n)}{{No}(n)} \right)} = {{filter}\left( \frac{{Ioc}(n)}{{No}(n)} \right)}$

As represented by block 1122, the excessive received out-of-cellinterference beyond the allowed (target) amount with which thecommunication system can reliably operate and the maximum excessivereceived pilot chip energy to interference and noise ratio among in-cellaccess terminals are determined. As represented by block 1124, theexcess amount for received pilot chip energy to interference and noiseratio can be expressed as:

${EcpNt\_ excess} = {{\max \overset{\_}{\left( \frac{{Ecp}(n)}{{Nt}(n)} \right)}} - {EcpNt\_ target}}$

with the above allowed threshold EcpNt_target having the units of dB.

As represented by block 1126, the excess amount of the out-of-cellreceived interference level Ioc_excess can be expressed as:

${Ioc\_ excess} = {\overset{\_}{\left( \frac{{Ioc}(n)}{{No}(n)} \right)} - {Ioc\_ target}}$

with the above allowed threshold Ioc_target having the units of dB.

As represented in block 1128, an amount of additional path loss(PL_adjust) that needs to be applied is computed. As represented inblock 1130, the candidate path loss adjustments are determined. Thecandidate adjustments can be expressed as:

PL_cand₁ = Ior_excess ${PL\_ cand}_{2} = \left\{ {{\begin{matrix}{0,} & {0 \geq {EcpNt\_ excess}} \\{{{EcpNtbased\_ PL}{\_ step}},} & {0 < {EcpNt\_ excess}}\end{matrix}{PL\_ cand}_{3}} = {{{{PL\_ cand}\left( {n - 1} \right)} - {{PL\_ step}{\_ down}{PL\_ cand}}} = {\max \left( {{PL\_ cand}_{1},{PL\_ cand}_{2},{PL\_ cand}_{3}} \right)}}} \right.$

Regarding determining the candidate adjustment values, the candidatevalues may be based upon various characteristics or rules. By way ofexample, various points can be expressed as:

-   -   (1) PL_cand₁ and PL_cand₂ are designed to quickly adjust the PL        based on high Ecp/Nt or Ioc values exceeding a high threshold.    -   (2) In case both Ecp/Nt and Ioc are below allowed limits,        PL_cand₃ is designed to slowly reduce (decay) PL such that it        won't be unnecessarily high.    -   (3) If there is only one active user in the cell there maybe no        reason to directly limit Ioc since RoT control mechanisms        already can control the RoT level. So in the case when there is        only one active user in the system, Ioc_target can be set to a        very large value.

As represented in block 1132, the appropriate path loss (PL_adjust) canbe applied according to the upper and lower path loss PL adjustmentlimitations expressed as:

If(PL_cand>PL_adjust_max)

PL_adjust(n)=PL_adjust_max

elseif(PL_cand>0)

PL_adjust(n)=PL_cand

elseif(PL_cand≦0)

PL_adjust(n)=0

As represented in block 1134, the uplink UL attenuation (or noisefigure) is increased by PL_adjust(n). It is noted that in an actualimplementation, hardware limitations may require quantization ofPL_adjust(n) to the closest possible setting.

Referring now to FIG. 12 and with further reference to FIGS. 5A-5B,operations relating to the use of subframe time reuse to address jammingand negative geometries will be described in more detail. The presentexemplary embodiment uses methods and apparatus to prevent jamming andaddress jamming and negative geometries using subframe time reuse.

In one exemplary embodiment, if an air interface permits time divisionmultiplexing, transmissions can be scheduled in such a manner as toeliminate time periods with negative geometries. Thus, femto node 510Bmay communicate with associated access terminal 520D during a periodthat femto node 510A is silent. Similarly, associated access terminal520C may communicate with femto node 510A during a period wherenon-associated access terminal 520D is scheduled by femto node 510A tobe silent. Such methods of synchronization and scheduling approachesfind application to systems that permit time division scheduling, suchas 1xEVDO. By way of example, since the 1xEVDO control channels are timemultiplexed, neighbor femto nodes 510 can be organized to use timere-use of these control channels.

However, as discussed next, this does not work with air interfacetechnologies that do not permit operation with scheduling and timedivision multiplexing, for example, technologies that use CDM controlchannels, including, for example, 1xRTT, WCDMA and HSPA. Design detailsfor sub-frame time reuse are described in detail in embodiments below.

In one exemplary embodiment, sub-frame time reuse is applicable totechnologies where hybrid time reuse cannot be applied. In many cellulartechnologies such as cdma2000 and WCDMA, the base station transmits acontinuous pilot and other CDM control channels (e.g., synch, paging andbroadcast, etc.) which the access terminals use for a variety ofpurposes, including initial scanning and acquisition, idle mode trackingand channel estimation. This continuous transmission of pilot andoverhead channels from femto nodes may result in the above describeddownlink jamming, even when there is no active traffic at the jammer.

In one exemplary embodiment, the first step is to address the outagesituations when the desired femto node 510 pilot and overhead channels(e.g., synch and paging) cannot be received at the access terminal 520.By way of example, a cdma2000 frame is divided into sixteen powercontrol groups (PCGs). To permit acquisition of the pilot signal, afraction of the pilot and overhead channel transmission is gated off.

With reference to FIG. 5B, femto node 510A, transmitting to associatedaccess terminals 520A-C, transmits such gated frames (i.e., during gatedoff periods no FL traffic is transmitted). At non-associated accessterminal 520D, the carrier-to-interference ratio, C/I, for transmissionsfrom femto node 510B improves dramatically during the period that femtonode 510A is gated off, permitting acquisition of the pilot and synchchannels from femto node 510B at access terminal 520D, in spite of thehighly negative geometry at access terminal 520D.

In one exemplary embodiment, these gated on-off periods are scheduled tobe non-overlapping. Thus, femto node 510A and femto node 510B can usenon-overlapping sub-frames (or power-control groups). In one exemplaryembodiment, by gating off (i.e., not transmitting any FL traffic) afraction ½, ⅔ or ¾ of the sub-frames, for example, a time division reusepattern of 2, 3 or 4 may be created. If the pilot and overhead channelshave sufficient redundancy, for pilot acquisition as well as decoding ofthe overhead channels, this would have an impact of 3-6 dB, for example,on the link budget of the pilot and overhead channels. However, this canbe easily compensated by increasing the transmit power of the femto node510, since in the femto node 510 deployment, the arrangements are notlimited by transmit power.

In addition to the pilot and overhead channels, the same gating methodmay also be applied to the voice or data channel transmissions. In oneexemplary embodiment, the femto node 510 gates a fraction of each frametransmission off. If, for example, the fraction (e.g., ½) that is turnedoff is lesser than the channel coding rate used for that transmission,for example, in cdma2000 forward link voice packet transmissions, aparticular standard format (RC3) uses a rate ¼ convolutional code, theaccess terminal 520 will be able to decode the packet, even though halfof the packet transmission was gated off. To avoid the necessity ofknowing these geometries and scheduling these non-overlapping gated offtimes, the following method is disclosed to prevent jamming and addressjamming and negative geometries using subframe time reuse.

With initial reference to FIG. 12, FIG. 12 describes an exemplaryembodiment for interference management in a wireless communicationsystem using subframe time reuse. As represented by block 1202, gatingsequences (or patterns) are identified with each gating sequencegating-off, for example, either eleven of sixteen power control groups(PCGs) to obtain a reuse of 5/16, or eight of sixteen PCGs to obtain areuse of 2.

The gating sequence may be chosen in such a way as to minimize thecross-correlation between pairs of gating sequences from potentiallyinterfering femto nodes 510. As represented by block 1204, each femtonode 510 selects one of the gating sequences. Although the femto node510 may attempt to choose a gating sequence that is non-overlapping withneighbor femto nodes, general selection does not necessarily result in anon-overlapping arrangement. However, the exemplary embodiment providesa mechanism such that a non-overlapping gating sequence can beidentified and selected.

As represented by block 1206, an access terminal 520 establishes anactive connection with a femto node 510. In response to establishing theconnection, the access terminal 520 provides a “fast” per-subframedownlink (forward link) power control feedback allowing the femto node5101 to select a desired non-overlapping gating sequence.

Specifically and as represented in block 1208, femto node 510B transmitsa series of frames on, for example, a data/voice channel to the accessterminal 520D with all power control groups (PCGs) gated on. Asrepresented by block 1210, since a potentially interfering neighborfemto node 530A is already engaged in communication with accessterminals 520A-C using sub-frame gating techniques, access terminal 520Dwill observe interference on a subset of the subframes in response togated transmissions by interfering neighbor femto node 510A.Furthermore, access terminal 520D will also observe another subset ofsubframes where no interference from neighbor femto node 520A isobserved when neighbor femto node 510A is gated off during that subsetof subframes.

During the subframes in which femto node 510A is gated on, the accessterminal 520D will observe, for example, low Eb/No. As represented byblock 1212, the downlink (forward link) power control feedback fromaccess terminal 520D will indicate that femto node 510B should increasethe transmit power for specific subframes. Similarly, during thesubframes that femto node 510A is gated off, access terminal 520D willobserve high Eb/No and the downlink (forward link) power controlfeedback from access terminal 520D will indicate that femto node 510Bshould decrease the transmit power for specific subframes.

As represented by block 1214, the sub-frame downlink (forward link)power control feedback provided by access terminal 520D to femto node510B indicates which sub-frames at transmitted by interfering neighborfemto node 510A are gated on and which are gated off. Accordingly, suchan indication allows femto node 510B to select a gating sequence(pattern) that is non-overlapping (complementary) with the gatingsequence (pattern) chosen and in use by interfering neighbor femto node510A. The exemplary embodiment finds application for the gating sequence(pattern) chosen by interfering neighboring femto node 510A.

Depending on the implementation technology, other considerations mayfurther determine the types of gating sequences (patterns) best suitedfor this sub-frame gating technique. Furthermore, since legacy accessterminals are unaware of the gating being done on the downlink (forwardlink), other considerations may be applied to include choosing gatingsequences (patterns) that intersperse shortened “off” periods betweenshortened “on” periods. Such a consideration may reduce impact ondownlink (forward link) channel estimation and channel quality feedbackestimation methods in use by the legacy access terminal. Thus, forexample, in a case when eight sub-frames out of sixteen are gated off,there may be beneficial reasons for selecting alternating sub-frames tobe gated off and gated on.

In another exemplary embodiment, gating sequence selection may applydifferent considerations for deployments where neighbor femto nodes 510are not synchronized. Such considerations may exist, for example, whenWCDMA femto nodes 510 are not synchronized. In one exemplary embodimentof non-synchronized femto nodes 510, instead of alternate on-off gatedsubframes, it may be beneficial to have all or many of the gated-offsubframes be contiguous, as well as all or many of the gated-onsubframes. For example, in the case of a WCDMA system with fifteensubframes over 10 ms, or thirty subframes over 20 ms, a beneficialmethod may be for each femto node 510 to gate off nine contiguous of thefifteen subframes and gate on six contiguous subframes. Alternately,using a 20 ms frame, the femto node 510 may gate off sixteen contiguoussubframes and gate on fourteen contiguous subframes out of thirtysubframes.

In alternate exemplary embodiments, other methods to address thissituation and improve downlink C/I involve femto nodes 510 configured togate-off pilot and overhead channel transmissions when there are noaccess terminals associated, and to turn on pilot and overhead channelsperiodically and/or at very low power only at times when associatedaccess terminals 520 are expected to be scanning for the femto node 510.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-14 and with further reference to FIGS. 5A-5B,operations relating to the use of hybrid time reuse to address jammingand negative geometries will be described in more detail. The presentexemplary embodiment uses methods and apparatus to prevent jamming andaddress jamming and negative geometries using hybrid time reusetechniques.

In an exemplary embodiment, if an air interface permits time divisionmultiplexing (such as 1xEV-DO), then transmissions may be scheduled insuch a manner as to eliminate time periods with negative geometries.Thus, femto node 510B can communicate with associated access terminal520D during a period when femto node 510A is not transmitting.Similarly, associated access terminal 520C may communicate with femtonode 510A during a period where access terminal 520D is scheduled byfemto node 510B to not transmit.

In an exemplary embodiment of a hybrid time reuse method, a downlink DLtransmission is divided into three separate groups in time:

1. Synchronous Control Channel (SCC) transmission period

2. Limited HARQ Interlace Tx. Period

3. Unlimited HARQ Interlace Tx. Period

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary downlink DL timeline including threedifferent time periods during each synchronous control channel (SCC)cycle period of 256 time slots. In one exemplary embodiment based ontime sharing of the resources during “unlimited HARQ interlace,” thereare three different femto channels defined. As described in more detaillater, it is desired that neighboring femto nodes 510 pick differentfemto channels so that they do not experience interference from otherneighbor femto nodes 510 (i.e., each femto node selects a primary femtochannel different than the neighbor femto node 510). If there is nointerference from a neighbor femto node, multiple femto channels (inaddition to the primary femto channel) can be used by one femto node510. Details of one exemplary embodiment of a hybrid time reuseoperation is described below.

With initial reference to FIG. 14, FIG. 14 describes a method forinterference management in a wireless communication system using hybridtime reuse, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As representedby block 1402, at the initial power up or other synchronization of afemto node 510, the femto node 510 performs time synchronization withthe macro cell network (e.g., macro cell access node 560). Asrepresented by block 1404, during time synchronization with the macrocell access node 560, the femto node 510 measures secondarysynchronization channel (SCC) offsets (MSCCO) used by the macro cellaccess node 560 and neighboring femto nodes 510. Based on themeasurement, the femto node 510 identifies a preferred HARQ interlacewith the least interference, as represented by block 1406. A preferredslot offset (PSO) is defined from the identified preferred HARQinterlace.

As represented in block 1408, a primary femto channel is selected. Byway of example, on exemplary selection process may follow the followingalgorithm:

-   -   If mod(PSO-MSCCO,4)=1 then Femto Chn. 1 is picked as primary        Femto Channel    -   If mod(PSO-MSCCO,4)=2 then Femto Chn. 2 is picked as primary        Femto Channel    -   If mod(PSO-MSCCO,4)=3 then Femto Chn. 3 is picked as primary        Femto Channel    -   where Chn1, Chn2 and Chn3 are described in FIG. 13.

Once femto channels are determined, femto nodes 510 may transmit trafficin the downlink (forward link). Transmissions by femto nodes 510 aretimed to reduce interference with macro cell transmissions and otherfemto node transmissions. A femto node transmission protocol for thevarious macro cell transmission periods, SCC transmission period,limited HARQ interlace transmission period, and unlimited HARQ interlacetransmission period, are described below.

As represented in block 1410 and with reference to FIG. 13, an SCCtransmission period 1302 is defined at the beginning of each SCC cycle1304 (e.g., 256 slots) to allow transmission of an SCC offset (e.g.,first 32 slots of every SCC cycle). In one exemplary embodiment, twosub-periods 1306, 1308 are defined based on HARQ interlace: preferredslot offset and non-preferred slot offset.

On HARQ interlace with the preferred slot offset (PSO), femto node 510transmits SCC information. This allows reliable transmission of controlchannel information and enables associated access terminals 520 tohand-in and hand-out from femto node 510. During HARQ interlaces on nonpreferred slot offsets, femto nodes 510 do not transmit any downlink(forward link) traffic (DTX FL transmission) so that minimuminterference is caused to neighbor macro cells and neighbor femto nodeSCC transmission. On these slot offsets, a fractional of downlink DLpower is used for Pilot and MAC channels so that these channels canoperate successfully.

As represented in block 1412 and with reference to FIG. 13, during alimited HARQ interlace transmission period, the femto node 510 isallowed to transmit downlink (forward link) traffic on the HARQinterlace of PSO and delay sensitive traffic is given absolute priorityover best effort traffic. With reference to FIG. 13, limited HARQinterlace transmission period gives a transmission opportunity for eachfemto node so that delay sensitive traffic (such as VoIP etc.) does notsuffer too excessive delay. In one example, during limited HARQinterlace transmission period, if requested DRC is null, then singleuser packet type of 38.4 kbps may be used. If DRC is null or erased,then compatible packet types such as single user packet (SUP) 38.4 kbpsor multi user packet (MUP) of 256/512/1024 bits may be utilized (similarto DRC erasure mapping).

In one exemplary embodiment, downlink (forward link) traffic may also betransmitted on HARQ interlace of MSCCO. In one embodiment, neighboringfemto nodes 510 may use this interlace as well (i.e., no protectionagainst interference). During HARQ interlaces of other slot offsets,femto nodes do not transmit any downlink (forward link) traffic (timere-use) however a fraction of downlink (forward link) power can beallocated to pilot and MAC channels for successful operation of thesechannels.

As represented in block 1414 and with reference to FIG. 13, during anunlimited HARQ interlace transmission period, the femto node 510 isallowed to transmit downlink (forward link) traffic on all of the fourHARQ interlaces. At the beginning of the period, downlink (forward link)transmit power can be ramped up slowly to let the access terminal ratepredictor to ramp up. In one exemplary embodiment, to further increasethe ramp-up of DRC values, DRC length of 1 slot should be used. Due toconservative predictor behavior, if null DRC is requested by the mobileat the beginning of unlimited HARQ interlace transmission period, femtonode 510 can transmit compatible packet types (multi use packet or 38.4kbps single user packet). Also, femto node downlink (forward link)scheduler can keep track of previously requested DRC values and maintainDRC values from last transmission periods and HARQ early terminationstatistics to decide on what data rates can be decoded by accessterminal 520.

The teachings herein may be incorporated into a node (e.g., a device)employing various components for communicating with at least one othernode. FIG. 15 depicts several sample components that may be employed tofacilitate communication between nodes. Specifically, FIG. 15illustrates a wireless device 1510 (e.g., an access point) and awireless device 1550 (e.g., an access terminal) of a MIMO system 1500.At the device 1510, traffic data for a number of data streams isprovided from a data source 1512 to a transmit (“TX”) data processor1514.

In some aspects, each data stream is transmitted over a respectivetransmit antenna. The TX data processor 1514 formats, codes, andinterleaves the traffic data for each data stream based on a particularcoding scheme selected for that data stream to provide coded data.

The coded data for each data stream may be multiplexed with pilot datausing OFDM techniques. The pilot data is typically a known data patternthat is processed in a known manner and may be used at the receiversystem to estimate the channel response. The multiplexed pilot and codeddata for each data stream is then modulated (i.e., symbol mapped) basedon a particular modulation scheme (e.g., BPSK, QSPK, M-PSK, or M-QAM)selected for that data stream to provide modulation symbols. The datarate, coding, and modulation for each data stream may be determined byinstructions performed by a processor 1530. A data memory 1532 may storeprogram code, data, and other information used by the processor 1530 orother components of the device 1510.

The modulation symbols for all data streams are then provided to a TXMIMO processor 1520, which may further process the modulation symbols(e.g., for OFDM). The TX MIMO processor 1520 then provides N_(T)modulation symbol streams to N_(T) transceivers (“XCVR”) 1522A through1522T. In some aspects, the TX MIMO processor 1520 applies beam-formingweights to the symbols of the data streams and to the antenna from whichthe symbol is being transmitted.

Each transceiver 1522 receives and processes a respective symbol streamto provide one or more analog signals, and further conditions (e.g.,amplifies, filters, and upconverts) the analog signals to provide amodulated signal suitable for transmission over the MIMO channel. N_(T)modulated signals from transceivers 1522A through 1522T are thentransmitted from N_(T) antennas 1524A through 1524T, respectively.

At the device 1550, the transmitted modulated signals are received byN_(R) antennas 1552A through 1552R and the received signal from eachantenna 1552 is provided to a respective transceiver (“XCVR”) 1554Athrough 1554R. Each transceiver 1554 conditions (e.g., filters,amplifies, and downconverts) a respective received signal, digitizes theconditioned signal to provide samples, and further processes the samplesto provide a corresponding “received” symbol stream.

A receive (“RX”) data processor 1560 then receives and processes theN_(R) received symbol streams from N_(R) transceivers 1554 based on aparticular receiver processing technique to provide N_(T) “detected”symbol streams. The RX data processor 1560 then demodulates,deinterleaves, and decodes each detected symbol stream to recover thetraffic data for the data stream. The processing by the RX dataprocessor 1560 is complementary to that performed by the TX MIMOprocessor 1520 and the TX data processor 1514 at the device 1510.

A processor 1570 periodically determines which pre-coding matrix to use(discussed below). The processor 1570 formulates a reverse link messagecomprising a matrix index portion and a rank value portion. A datamemory 1572 may store program code, data, and other information used bythe processor 1570 or other components of the device 1550.

The reverse link message may comprise various types of informationregarding the communication link and/or the received data stream. Thereverse link message is then processed by a TX data processor 1538,which also receives traffic data for a number of data streams from adata source 1536, modulated by a modulator 1580, conditioned by thetransceivers 1554A through 1554R, and transmitted back to the device1510.

At the device 1510, the modulated signals from the device 1550 arereceived by the antennas 1524, conditioned by the transceivers 1522,demodulated by a demodulator (“DEMOD”) 1540, and processed by a RX dataprocessor 1542 to extract the reverse link message transmitted by thedevice 1550. The processor 1530 then determines which pre-coding matrixto use for determining the beam-forming weights then processes theextracted message.

FIG. 15 also illustrates that the communication components may includeone or more components that perform interference control operations astaught herein. For example, an interference (“INTER.”) control component1590 may cooperate with the processor 1530 and/or other components ofthe device 1510 to send/receive signals to/from another device (e.g.,device 1550) as taught herein. Similarly, an interference controlcomponent 1592 may cooperate with the processor 1570 and/or othercomponents of the device 1550 to send/receive signals to/from anotherdevice (e.g., device 1510). It should be appreciated that for eachdevice 1510 and 1550 the functionality of two or more of the describedcomponents may be provided by a single component. For example, a singleprocessing component may provide the functionality of the interferencecontrol component 1590 and the processor 1530 and a single processingcomponent may provide the functionality of the interference controlcomponent 1592 and the processor 1570.

The teachings herein may be incorporated into various types ofcommunication systems and/or system components. In some aspects, theteachings herein may be employed in a multiple-access system capable ofsupporting communication with multiple users by sharing the availablesystem resources (e.g., by specifying one or more of bandwidth, transmitpower, coding, interleaving, and so on). For example, the teachingsherein may be applied to any one or combinations of the followingtechnologies: Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) systems,Multiple-Carrier CDMA (“MCCDMA”), Wideband CDMA (“W-CDMA”), High-SpeedPacket Access (“HSPA,” “HSPA+”) systems, Time Division Multiple Access(“TDMA”) systems, Frequency Division Multiple Access (“FDMA”) systems,Single-Carrier FDMA (“SC-FDMA”) systems, Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiple Access (“OFDMA”) systems, or other multiple access techniques.A wireless communication system employing the teachings herein may bedesigned to implement one or more standards, such as IS-95, cdma2000,IS-856, W-CDMA, TDSCDMA, and other standards. A CDMA network mayimplement a radio technology such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access(“UTRA)”, cdma2000, or some other technology. UTRA includes W-CDMA andLow Chip Rate (“LCR”). The cdma2000 technology covers IS-2000, IS-95 andIS-856 standards. A TDMA network may implement a radio technology suchas Global System for Mobile Communications (“GSM”). An OFDMA network mayimplement a radio technology such as Evolved UTRA (“E-UTRA”), IEEE802.11, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM®, etc. UTRA, E-UTRA, andGSM are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (“UMTS”). Theteachings herein may be implemented in a 3GPP Long Term Evolution(“LTE”) system, an Ultra-Mobile Broadband (“UMB”) system, and othertypes of systems. LTE is a release of UMTS that uses E-UTRA. Althoughcertain aspects of the disclosure may be described using 3GPPterminology, it is to be understood that the teachings herein may beapplied to 3GPP (Rel99, Rel5, Rel6, Rel7) technology, as well as 3GPP2(1xRTT, 1xEV-DO RelO, RevA, RevB) technology and other technologies.

The teachings herein may be incorporated into (e.g., implemented withinor performed by) a variety of apparatuses (e.g., nodes). In someaspects, a node (e.g., a wireless node) implemented in accordance withthe teachings herein may comprise an access point or an access terminal.

For example, an access terminal may comprise, be implemented as, orknown as user equipment, a subscriber station, a subscriber unit, amobile station, a mobile, a mobile node, a remote station, a remoteterminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, or some otherterminology. In some implementations an access terminal may comprise acellular telephone, a cordless telephone, a session initiation protocol(“SIP”) phone, a wireless local loop (“WLL”) station, a personal digitalassistant (“PDA”), a handheld device having wireless connectioncapability, or some other suitable processing device connected to awireless modem. Accordingly, one or more aspects taught herein may beincorporated into a phone (e.g., a cellular phone or smart phone), acomputer (e.g., a laptop), a portable communication device, a portablecomputing device (e.g., a personal data assistant), an entertainmentdevice (e.g., a music device, a video device, or a satellite radio), aglobal positioning system device, or any other suitable device that isconfigured to communicate via a wireless medium.

An access point may comprise, be implemented as, or known as a NodeB, aneNodeB, a radio network controller (“RNC”), a base station (“BS”), aradio base station (“RBS”), a base station controller (“BSC”), a basetransceiver station (“BTS”), a transceiver function (“TF”), a radiotransceiver, a radio router, a basic service set (“BSS”), an extendedservice set (“ESS”), or some other similar terminology.

In some aspects a node (e.g., an access point) may comprise an accessnode for a communication system. Such an access node may provide, forexample, connectivity for or to a network (e.g., a wide area networksuch as the Internet or a cellular network) via a wired or wirelesscommunication link to the network. Accordingly, an access node mayenable another node (e.g., an access terminal) to access a network orsome other functionality. In addition, it should be appreciated that oneor both of the nodes may be portable or, in some cases, relativelynon-portable.

Also, it should be appreciated that a wireless node may be capable oftransmitting and/or receiving information in a non-wireless manner(e.g., via a wired connection). Thus, a receiver and a transmitter asdiscussed herein may include appropriate communication interfacecomponents (e.g., electrical or optical interface components) tocommunicate via a non-wireless medium.

A wireless node may communicate via one or more wireless communicationlinks that are based on or otherwise support any suitable wirelesscommunication technology. For example, in some aspects a wireless nodemay associate with a network. In some aspects the network may comprise alocal area network or a wide area network. A wireless device may supportor otherwise use one or more of a variety of wireless communicationtechnologies, protocols, or standards such as those discussed herein(e.g., CDMA, TDMA, OFDM, OFDMA, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, and so on). Similarly, awireless node may support or otherwise use one or more of a variety ofcorresponding modulation or multiplexing schemes. A wireless node maythus include appropriate components (e.g., air interfaces) to establishand communicate via one or more wireless communication links using theabove or other wireless communication technologies. For example, awireless node may comprise a wireless transceiver with associatedtransmitter and receiver components that may include various components(e.g., signal generators and signal processors) that facilitatecommunication over a wireless medium.

The components described herein may be implemented in a variety of ways.Referring to FIGS. 16-21, apparatuses 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, and2100 are represented as a series of interrelated functional blocks. Insome aspects the functionality of these blocks may be implemented as aprocessing system including one or more processor components. In someaspects the functionality of these blocks may be implemented using, forexample, at least a portion of one or more integrated circuits (e.g., anASIC). As discussed herein, an integrated circuit may include aprocessor, software, other related components, or some combinationthereof. The functionality of these blocks also may be implemented insome other manner as taught herein.

The apparatuses 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, and 2100 may include oneor more modules that may perform one or more of the functions describedabove with regard to various figures. In some aspects, one or morecomponents of the interference controller 320 or the interferencecontroller 322 may provide functionality relating to, for example, ainterference receiving/direction means 1602, interferencecomparing/determining/updating means 1606, overhead channel power means1702, transmit waveform means 1802, channel quality means 1806,interference determining means 1902, path loss means 1906, gatingsequence means 2002, reuse pattern means 2102, andsynchronization/offset/timing means 2106. In some aspects, thecommunication controller 326 or the communication controller 328 mayprovide functionality relating to, for example, transceiving(transmitting/receiving) means 1604, 1704, 1804, 1904, 2004, and 2104.

It should be understood that any reference to an element herein using adesignation such as “first,” “second,” and so forth does not generallylimit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, thesedesignations may be used herein as a convenient method of distinguishingbetween two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, areference to first and second elements does not mean that only twoelements may be employed there or that the first element must precedethe second element in some manner. Also, unless stated otherwise a setof elements may comprise one or more elements.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signalsmay be represented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

Those of skill would further appreciate that any of the variousillustrative logical blocks, modules, processors, means, circuits, andalgorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosedherein may be implemented as electronic hardware (e.g., a digitalimplementation, an analog implementation, or a combination of the two,which may be designed using source coding or some other technique),various forms of program or design code incorporating instructions(which may be referred to herein, for convenience, as “software” or a“software module”), or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate thisinterchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrativecomponents, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been describedabove generally in terms of their functionality. Whether suchfunctionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the present disclosure.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implementedwithin or performed by an integrated circuit (“IC”), an access terminal,or an access point. The IC may comprise a general purpose processor, adigital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or otherprogrammable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discretehardware components, electrical components, optical components,mechanical components, or any combination thereof designed to performthe functions described herein, and may execute codes or instructionsthat reside within the IC, outside of the IC, or both. A general purposeprocessor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processormay be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or statemachine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination ofcomputing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, aplurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunctionwith a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of steps in anydisclosed process is an example of a sample approach. Based upon designpreferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy ofsteps in the processes may be rearranged while remaining within thescope of the present disclosure. The accompanying method claims presentelements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to belimited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The functions described may be implemented in hardware, software,firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, thefunctions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or moreinstructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readablemedia includes both computer storage media and communication mediaincluding any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer programfrom one place to another. A storage media may be any available mediathat can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and notlimitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM,CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carryor store desired program code in the form of instructions or datastructures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connectionis properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if thesoftware is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote sourceusing a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digitalsubscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio,and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave areincluded in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media. In summary, it should be appreciated that acomputer-readable medium may be implemented in any suitablecomputer-program product.

The previous description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure.Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other aspects without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limitedto the aspects shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

1. A method of communication, comprising: determining a level of excessreceived interference based at least in part on out-of-cell interference(Ioc); and adjusting path loss by an additional path loss on an uplinksignal when the level of excess received interference exceeds aninterference target that would cause a Rise-over-Thermal (RoT) metric toexceed conditions for stable system operation.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising repeating the determining and the adjusting for eachtime slot.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the out-of-cellinterference is the difference of a received signal strength, an in-cellinterference level and a thermal noise figure (No).
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the level of excess received interference is determinedat least in part from a difference of an out-of-cellinterference-to-thermal noise figure (No) ratio and the interferencetarget.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional path losscorresponds to the level of excess received interference when the levelof excess exceeds a high threshold value.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising reducing the path loss when the level of excessreceived interference does not exceed the interference target.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the additional path loss increasesattenuation of the uplink signal.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein theadditional path loss increases a noise figure used in the calculation ofthe Rise-over-Thermal (RoT) metric.
 9. An apparatus for communication,comprising: an interference controller configured to determine a levelof excess received interference based at least in part on out-of-cellinterference (Ioc); and a communication controller configured to adjustpath loss by an additional path loss on an uplink signal when the levelof excess received interference exceeds an interference target thatwould cause a Rise-over-Thermal (RoT) metric to exceed conditions forstable system operation.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein theinterference controller is further configured to repeat determining thelevel of excess received interference and the communication controlleris further configured to repeat adjusting path loss for each time slot.11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the out-of-cell interference isthe difference of a received signal strength, an in-cell interferencelevel and a thermal noise figure (No).
 12. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the level of excess received interference is determined at leastin part from a difference of an out-of-cell interference-to-thermalnoise figure (No) ratio and the interference target.
 13. The apparatusof claim 9, wherein the additional path loss corresponds to the level ofexcess received interference when the level of excess exceeds a highthreshold value.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the communicationcontroller is further configured to reduce the path loss when the levelof excess received interference does not exceed the interference target.15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the additional path loss increasesattenuation of the uplink signal.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe additional path loss increases a noise figure used in thecalculation of the Rise-over-Thermal (RoT) metric.
 17. An apparatus forcommunication, comprising: means for determining a level of excessreceived interference based at least in part on out-of-cell interference(Ioc); and means for adjusting path loss by an additional path loss onan uplink signal when the level of excess received interference exceedsan interference target that would cause a Rise-over-Thermal (RoT) metricto exceed conditions for stable system operation.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, further comprising means for repeating the determining and theadjusting for each time slot.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein theout-of-cell interference is the difference of a received signalstrength, an in-cell interference level and a thermal noise figure (No).20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the level of excess receivedinterference is determined at least in part from a difference of anout-of-cell interference-to-thermal noise figure (No) ratio and theinterference target.
 21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein theadditional path loss corresponds to the level of excess receivedinterference when the level of excess exceeds a high threshold value.22. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising means for reducing thepath loss when the level of excess received interference does not exceedthe interference target.
 23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein theadditional path loss increases attenuation of the uplink signal.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the additional path loss increases anoise figure used in the calculation of the Rise-over-Thermal (RoT)metric.
 25. A computer-program product, comprising: computer-readablemedium comprising codes for causing a computer to: determine a level ofexcess received interference based at least in part on out-of-cellinterference (Ioc); and adjust path loss by an additional path loss onan uplink signal when the level of excess received interference exceedsan interference target that would cause a Rise-over-Thermal (RoT) metricto exceed conditions for stable system operation.
 26. Thecomputer-program product of claim 25, further comprising codes forcausing the computer to repeat the determining and the adjusting foreach time slot.
 27. The computer-program product of claim 25, whereinthe out-of-cell interference is the difference of a received signalstrength, an in-cell interference level and a thermal noise figure (No).28. The computer-program product of claim 25, wherein the level ofexcess received interference is determined at least in part from adifference of an out-of-cell interference-to-thermal noise figure (No)ratio and the interference target.
 29. The computer-program product ofclaim 25, wherein the additional path loss corresponds to the level ofexcess received interference when the level of excess exceeds a highthreshold value.
 30. The computer-program product of claim 25, furthercomprising codes for causing the computer to reduce the path loss whenthe level of excess received interference does not exceed theinterference target.
 31. The computer-program product of claim 25,wherein the additional path loss increases attenuation of the uplinksignal.
 32. The computer-program product of claim 25, wherein theadditional path loss increases a noise figure used in the calculation ofthe Rise-over-Thermal (RoT) metric.